Side-loading transverse shower filter

Abstract

A side-loading shower filter having a body that may be easily be mounted between a shower arm and a showerhead without the need of special tools. The body has removable end caps to allow a water filter cartridge to be added to or removed from either side of a transverse hollow water filter cartridge chamber formed in the body by the removal of either of the pair of end caps. The shower filter is mounted between a shower arm and a showerhead by means of coupling means connected to a water inlet and a water outlet formed in the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shower filter, comprising;
 a hollow housing having a water inlet and a water outlet for coupling between a shower arm and a showerhead;   a hollow water filter cartridge chamber formed transversely to water entering and exiting the housing and,   at least one end cap removably mounted on the hollow water filter cartridge chamber to allow side-loading of a water filter cartridge.   
     
     
         2 . The water filter of  claim 1 , further including a removable water filter cartridge held in the hollow water filter cartridge chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The water filter of  claim 2 , wherein there are a pair of end caps removably mounted on opposite ends of the hollow water filter cartridge chamber for holding the removable water filter cartridge therein. 
     
     
         4 . The water filter of  claim 3 , further including passage means in the hollow water filter cartridge chamber to allow water entering the inlet to flow around and through the removable water filter cartridge and out the water outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The water filter system of  claim 4  wherein the housing is comprised of a top connector integrally coupled to the transverse hollow filter cartridge chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The water filter system of  claim 4  wherein the housing is comprised of the transverse water filter cartridge chamber with the water inlet and the water outlet integrally formed thereon on opposed side portions. 
     
     
         7 . A water filter for a shower system, comprising;
 a hollow housing having a water inlet and a water outlet for coupling between a shower arm and a showerhead;   the hollow housing including a hollow water filter cartridge chamber formed transversely to water entering and exiting the housing; and   a pair of end caps removably mounted on opposite ends of the hollow water filter cartridge chamber to allow a water filter cartridge to by selectively loaded from either side end of the hollow water filter cartridge chamber.   
     
     
         8 . The water filter of  claim 7 , further including a removable water filter cartridge held in the hollow water filter cartridge chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The water filter of  claim 8 , wherein there are a pair of end caps removably mounted on opposite ends of the hollow water filter cartridge chamber include means for holding the removable water filter cartridge in place and for deflecting water entering the end caps. 
     
     
         10 . The water filter of  claim 8 , further including passage means formed in the hollow water filter cartridge chamber to allow water entering the inlet to flow around and through the removable water filter cartridge and out the water outlet. 
     
     
         11 . The water filter system of  claim 10  wherein the hollow housing is comprised of a top connector integrally coupled to the transverse water filter cartridge chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The water filter system of  claim 11  wherein the hollow housing is comprised of a transverse water filter cartridge chamber with the water inlet and the water outlet integrally formed thereon on opposed side portions. 
     
     
         13 . A water filter for a shower system, comprising;
 a transverse hollow housing having a water inlet and a water outlet adapted to be coupled between a shower arm and a showerhead;   the transverse hollow housing including a water filter cartridge held therein; and   the transverse hollow housing having opposed open ends with a pair of end caps removably mounted on the open ends to allow the water filter cartridge to by selectively side-loaded or removed from either end of the hollow water filter cartridge chamber.   
     
     
         14 . The water filter of  claim 13 , wherein the pair of removable end caps include means for holding the removable water filter cartridge in place and for deflecting water entering the end caps. 
     
     
         15 . The water filter of  claim 14 , further including passage means formed in the transverse hollow housing to allow water entering the inlet to flow around and through the removable water filter cartridge and out the water outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The water filter system of  claim 13  wherein the transverse hollow housing is comprised of a top connector integrally coupled to the transverse water filter cartridge chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The water filter system of  claim 13  wherein the transverse hollow housing has the water inlet and the water outlet integrally formed thereon on opposed side portions.